And walter m



Reissued Dec. 8, n 1925. y

- UNiTED STATES PATENT oFFlcE. l

.JOSEPH N. MAHQNEY, or BROOKLYN, NEW YORK, 'AND WALTER M. 4Atrsrrnqryorl WILNINSBUM, PENNSYLVANIA, AsSIGNoRs To WESTINGHOUSE ELEcTnrc'. AND MANUFACTURING COMPANY, Aeom'oRA'rIoNv or PENNSYLVANIA. f'

ELECTRICAL gsYSTEM.

original Np. 1,363,666, dated December as, 1920', serial 110.117,66'6, i'eduiggust v30, 19",@ r

A i i 4reissue led Octoberl 21, y l -V T all whom 'it may concern.'

Be it known that we, JOSEPH N. MAHONEY,

i a citizen of the United States,`and 'a resident of Brooklyn, in ,the county of Kings and State of New York, and WALTER M. AUSTIN, a citizen of the United States, and a. resident of W'ilkinsburg, in the county of. Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, havev invented a new and useful Improvementl in Electrical Systems, of which the following isa specification. Y

Our invention relates to electrical systems and devices and particularly to means for automatically connecting'fee'der circuits together, under predetermined conditions.

One object of our invention is to provide a system ofthe above-indicated character that Shall have means dependent upon the sum of thevoltages of the circuits that are to be connected together for controlling the opening and closing of the connection between the same.

Another object of our inventionis to provide means'whereby the. limiting resistance, that is connected in series with the actuating and holding windings of. the connecting circuit interrupter, is adapted to be short circuited only when the interrupter is being closed. u

In the carrying out vvvof our'invention, lwe provideua circuitinterrupter for operatively connecting two feeder circuits -together and means for so controlling the interrupter that the circuits will beijconnect'e'dftogether only1 when the Sum of the voltages on'A the two circuits exceeds a predetermined value. Means is also provided whereby the limiting resistor, that is connected .in series with the actuating winding of the interrnpter, is adapted 'tobe Short-circuited .only when the interruptor is in open positionand is being condnctor u 1921. seprialNo 509,415.

maticallyv open andnwill remain open until predetermined normal 'voltage conditions are established.

Figure of the' accompanying drawings is a diagrammatic view of an electrical eircuit embodying our invention,l and Figs. 2, 3, 4, and 6 are diagrammatic views of electrical circuitsembodyingmodified Vforms of our invention.` Y p' Two feeder conductors 1 andf having a common return conductorS, are adapted to be operatively connected together/'by acircnit interruptor 4 when the surr'i'of "the volta-'ges between the feeder conductors and' determined value. p

In Fig. 1 of the' drawings, thev circuit interrupter 4 con'iprises main stationary con` tact members 5 and G ,a mainbridgingcon tact memberv 7, a toggle" mechanism 8,* actuating elec'tromagnetV 9, an auxiliaryv tionary conta-ct,'memberif10, an auxiliary the common return conductor exceeds a pren movableA contact member and 'a limiting resistor 12. A'relay 13, comprising a. movable core member 14, two windings 15 and 16, a movable `bridging contactmember 17 and stationary "contact members 18, is provided Afor the' purpose o-ffeontrolling the circuit of the, actuating .electromagnet 9. One terminal ofthe winding 15 is connected througha'resistor 19, totheffeeder eonductor 2, and the-other terminal of the winding 15 is vconnected to the conductor 3. One terminal of th'e'windingl 'is connected, through a resistor Q0 -to the conduct-or 1 and the other' terminalof the winding 16 is connected to the common return conductor 3.

The windings 15 and .16 of the relay 13 are so proportioned that the movable bridg ing'eontact member will engage vthe Stationary contact members 18 onl'ywhen the Sum of the voltage drops between the feeder conductors 1 and 2 'and the common returnA exceeds a predetermined value. `Thenthis occurs. currentis permitted to `traverse the wint-.lingV of Vthe electroma-guct the actuatin 9,and the circuit interrupterfis fclosedrfv The contact members 1.10 and llvconstitutef the separable terminals of a.` short-circuit.

connection across the terminals ofthe, resistor 12 and are so arranged tha t,*',when the circuit interrupter 4 is closed, theyy 'are dis,- engagedt'o thereby electroma y in series wit "the limiting resistor 12 and `the circuit, thus constituted is so connected to two resistors 19 and 20 that thev winding of the electromagnet 9 will be supplied with y current.lnoportional` tov the sum ofdthe voltage drops across the feeder conductorsll and 2 and the common return conductor 3.

The circuit interru ter 4 is lprovided with an auxiliary `niova le contact member 11 that isadapted to engage .auxiliary stationary contact members 10 for the .purpose yot short-circuiting the resistor 12 when the cir-j` cuit, yinterrupter 4 is in its open position, thereb permitting sufficient current to traverse t e winding of the electromagnet 9 `to actuate the circuit interrupter 4 when the sum of the voltage drops is a predeter-H.

mined value. Y l

In Fig. '3 of the drawin the windinoof the actuating electromagnet l9 of the circuit interrupter 4 isconnccted f to oneterminal of the resistors 19k and 20 f aiid its other terminal is connected to 'the V conductor 3. z The other terminals of the A; -r'esistorsf19 and 20 aie connectedV to the con- '.Iductors ,15 and 2respectively. vVVithsuchan 'arraiigement, the winding of thejelectro v y magnet9.1-is supplied with current propor- `tional tothe sumof` the voltage drops across the feeder lconductors 1 and 2 and the return conductor 3, but no means is provided `for limiting `the amount of current that traverses the winding of the electromagnet 9 when the circuit interrupter 4 is in its open or in itsclosed position.

In Fig. 4 of the drawings, one terminal of the windingl of the electromagnet 9 is ouA `connected to the conductor 2 and its other terminalis connected to the stationary contact member 21 of a relay 22. One terminal of the winding 23 of the relay 22 is conlimit the current that" traverses the winding of the electromagnet" In Fig., 2 ofthe drawings, the winding of et 9 isl connected" oneteyrjiiiinalofj,

' gama value. -Thus, the windin ofthe electromagvnet 9 will be supplied wit energy onlywhen the relay 22is closed.

' Sinceit is advisable to limit the current yin the actuating winding ofthe circuit interrupter when the circuit interrupter is in itsopen and closed positions and to ermit a maximum` current :to traverse the winding only when the interrupter is being closed, we provide the circuit interrupter 4, as

shown inv Fig. 5 of the drawin s,l with two auxiliary movable contact mem ers 26 and 27 that are adapted to engage stationary contact members 28 and 29 and 30 and 31, respectively. The actuating clectromagnet 9 comprises two windings 32A'and 33. One terminal of the winding '33 is 'connected to the conductor'2 and the other terminal of the vwinding 33 is connectedmto;y one terminal of a-resistor 34. One terminal .of 'the winding 32 is connected tothe conductor land the other terminalof the winding`32'yfis con.-

other terminals ofthe resistorsff34 andl 35 are connected together and,.to the stationary contact vmember 36 of arelayf37. The stationary contact member [36 1 is also connectedto one terminal of the-winding 38 offxthe'relay` 37, the other' terminal of which is connected to the conductor 3. The stationary contact member 31 of the circuit interrupter 4 is connected to the stationary contact member 39 of the relay 37 and the stationary contact member 28 of vthe circuit interrupter 4 is connected to the stationary contact membery 40 of the relay 37. The stationary contact members 29 and 30 of 'the circuit interrupter 4 are connected to one terminal of the windings 32 and 33, respcctively. lThe relay 37'is provided with a bridgingy contact member 41 that is adapted to engage the stationary contact members 36, 39 and 40 when the sum of the voltage drops across the feeder conductors 1 and 2 and the return conductor 3 exceeds a predetermined value.-

As shown in Fig. 5 of the drawings, when the sum ofgthe voltages is below a predetermined value, the windings 32 and 33 will not be suiciently energized to hold the main contact members of the circuit interrupter 4 in their closed positions, and the resistors 434 and 35 will be connected in circuit with the respective windings of the actuating electromagnet 9. However,--wlien the interrupter 4 is open, Ithe bridging Contact members 26 and 27 engagetheir respective stationary' contact members in such' manner that, when the relay 37 is again actuated, the resistors v34 and 35 will be short-circuited, and sulli'cient current will be ermitted to traverse the windings 32 an 33 to close the interrupter 4. When the interrupter 4 is closed, the bridging contact memlun the windings 32 and 33. .i

In Fig. 6 of the 'drawin s, the electromagtermina of which is connected to one terminal of the windin 42 of the relay 43 and the other terminal o .the relay is connected 'to the conductor 3. The relay 43 is adapted ber-44 to enga e its stationary contact memtion around the terminals of the resistor 12 vonlyT when the interrupter 4 is open and feeder` conductora lfand 2 and the return conductor 3 exceeds a predetermined value. The interrupter 4 is provided with an auxiliary bridging contact member 1 1 and auxiliary stationary l contact members 10 for opening the short-circuit connection as soon as the interrupter is closed, thereby reduc` ing the current that traverses the winding of the electromagnet 9 when the interrupter is in its closed position. p

Upon the occurrence of a short circuit or other abnormal condition on one section, the voltage fre'duces to a value insufficient to maintain the energization of the closing coil offrtlie'finterrupter or. of the potential relay lling Vthe circuit of the closing coil. rrupter vtherefore opens and remains 4 aJ redetermined average voltage `lligetvv'een the two sections. vThe and the closing coil are rg'ized suiciently to close the he sections are thus conhile predetermined normal n onthe respective circuits. ltageavailable for operating or ng the electromagnets 9 in the sevms Vof our invention, where such lconnected, between the mid-points of the resistis, 19 and 20 and the return conductor 3, `-is given by theI lfollowing equation; u'herein,`

R1 vrepresents the value in ohms of the resistor 19. i

R2 represents the value in ohms of the resistor 20.

R0 represents the value in ohms of R1 and ll2 when these values'are equal.

R3 represents the value in ohms of the resistance between the mid-point of resistor 19 and 20 and the return conductor3.

E1 represents the voltagedrop from 'conductor 1 to the returnl conductor 3.

E2 represents the voltage drop from conductor 2 to the return conductor 3.

E .i represents ,the voltage drop between bers'26'and 27 are disengagedfromtlieirrre-*I spective stationary contact members, and the s ort-circuit connections across the termi-" nals of the resistors 34 .andf35fare opene'd,`v thereby reducing the current `that traverses 'K return conductor f3.

net 9 is 1provided with al single winding, one' to cause its movable bridging contact mem bers for e ecting a short-circuit connecthesum of the voltage drops across the o er mgor controlling electromagnets are the mid puntati "rssfigplnd 2o and the v u En V-r-laqFEa'", A

Since Hence;

since EIJVE2 is the sumfthefpptentiai drops from conductors 19 and' 20v to the retui'n'concluctoi 3, and since'fEs is .always equal to the sum Eff-E2 divided by the' value R which is a constant for any- `given installation, it follows that the voltagev Enl always bears a definite ratio to the average, or the sum, of the potentials E1 land E2. The difference between the actual value of E5 and the average value l is de-pendent upon the ratio of Rf The selection of the proper. ratio of R0- to R3 is a matter requiring the'exercisey of engineering skill for each installation of rupter for operatively connecting the feeder conductors together, of means actuated under all conditions,'in accordancewith the sum of the voltage drops between 'the res pective. feederfconductors andthe return conductor for controlling the opening and closing of the circuit interrupter.

2. In a system of distribution, the combination with a-circuit interrupter and an actuating electromagnet therefor, of alresistor, and means for so controlling the ef.- fectiveness of the resistor in the circuit that it limits the current traversing the electromagnet-.gnly whenthe interrupter is in its fullope jand in vits closed position.

3. A controlfcircuit for a sectionalizing circuit interrupter between Atwo adjacent section conductors of,l an electrical system provided with ai common 'return conductor, comprising resistance means Vconnected between the section conductors,j an operating.

coil for theminterrupter, means comprising a resistor for connecting 'the operating coil between a point ofthe resistance means and the common returnconductor, and means controlled by the interruptor forv controlling conductors the eectivene of the resistor. f

4. The combination.. with two feeder conductors, a common return conductor, and a circuit interrnpter for connecting Vthe feeder together, oi an actuating electromagne sponsiv'e, under all" conditions, to -`the :siii'jii o the voltage drops between -tlie feeder'e conductors landthe return "conducter fr 'feontrolling `the 'operation of .the

inteirupter. v v l 5. In a system offdistribution, the combination With two eederconductors, a coininoii return conductor, and a. circuit interi for operatively connecting the two teedei"` conductors together, of means or closing the'interrupter and. for holding itin its closed position, l. and means, responsive, underV all conditions, to the '.sum of the .v voltage drops between the two feeder conductors and the common return conductor for controlling the operation of the said closing and holding means.`

6. In as vstem of'distribution, the combination with two feeder conductors, a common return conductoryand a circuit interrupter operatively connecting the two'feeder conductors together,l .of, electromagnetic means for closingoand '.lioldingwthe inter.

. rupter in its closed position, andfineans responsive, under allI conditions, yto vthesum ofy the .voltage drops across thetwo -eeder conductorsQlIld fthev` returnl conductor ,for so controlling the operationof theelectroi magnetic means that the interrupter will he the .Sumpf `the vvoltage drops across the two feeder conductorsY and the return conductor for. Voperatively connecting the feeder conductors together, under predetermined conditions. f

8. In a s 1stein of distribution, the combi- Y 9. A control circuit. fora seetionalizing circuit` interrupter between two acqacent section Vv conductors of an electrical system provided with a common return conductor, comprising resistance means connected between. the section conductors, an operating coil for the interrupter, means comprising a resistor for connecting the operating coil between a point of the resistance means and the common return conductor, and means responsive to` potential for controlling the effectiveness of the resistor.

V10. A control circuit for a sectionalizing circuit interrupter between two adjacent section conductors ot an electricalsystem provided with a common return conductor` comprising resista-nce means connected be.- tween the section conductors, an operatingv c oil for the in'terrupter, means comprising a resistor for connecting the operating coil between a point of the resistance means and thev common return conductor, means i'or sliort-circuiting the resistor and potential-responsive means for controlling the short-.circuiting means.

1 1. The combination with two sections of an electrical circuit and an interrupter 'for controllingv the connectionbetwecnthe two circuits, of two resistor elements connected between thetwo sections and an operating coil for the interrupter connected to the inidl point of theresistor elements.

12. Acontrol circuit fora sectionalizing circuit interrupter between 'two adjacent section conductors oigan electrical system providedvwith a common returnA conductor, comprising two'. vresistance elements connected; between the section conductors, an operating coil for the interruptor, and means comprising a resistor for connecting the operating coil between the junctionv ot' the resistance elements and the common ieturn conductor.

l13. A control circuit for a sectionalizing vcircuit interruptor between two adjacent scction conductorsof an electrical systemprovidedwith a common return conductor, coinprising two vresistance yelements connected betWeent-he section conductors, an operating coil for the interrupter, means comprising a resistor tor 'connecting the operating coil l2ctween the junction of the resistance elements and the common return conductor, and

means for short-circuiting the resistor underV predetermined conditions.

14. The combination with two sections of an electrical circuit and an interruptor for controlling the connection between the two circuits, of an operating coil therefor energized in accordance with the averageof the values of the voltages ot' the two said sections.

`.15. An automatically reclosing sectionalizing circuit interrupter comprising a main contact member for connecting. two sections when in closed osition, mechanism for automatically closing said main contact member in response to voltage from either section, and means responsive to the average voltage of the two sections for controlling the operation of the. closing mechanism.

16. An automatically reclosing sectionalizing circuit interrupter comprising a main contact member for connecting two sections when-in closed osition, mechanism for aul tomatically closlng said main contact inember under predetermined voltage conditions in both sections, and means responsive to the average voltage of the sections for controllin the operation of the closing mechanism.

1g?. An automatically reclosing sectionalizing circuit interrupter comprising terminals by which connection is made to each of two sections, a main contact member, means for closing said main contact member' to permit free passage of current from one section to the other, resistance means connected between said interrupter terminals to limit the passage of current from one section to the other when the main contact is in open position, and means for governing the closing means in response to a predetermined otential derived from the potentials of bot i sections through said resistance means.

18. Apcontrol circuit for a sectionalizing circuit interrupter between two adjacent section conductors of an electrical system provided with a common return conductor, comprising resistance means connected between the section conductors, an operating coil for the interrupter, and means comprising a resistor for connecting the operating coil between a point of the resistance means and the common return conductor.

19. A control circuit for asectionalizing circuit interrupter between two adjacent section conductors of an electrical system provided with a common return conductor, comprising resistance means connected between the section conductors, an operating coil for the interrupter, means comprising a resistor for connecting the operating coil between a point of the resistance means and the common return conductor, and means for shortcircuiting the resistor under predetermined conditions.

20. A11 automatically reclosing sectionalizing circuit interrupter comprising a main contact member for connecting two sections when 1n closed pos1t1on and mechanism for .automatically closing said main contact tion and means for preoluding the actuation of su-ch .closing mechanism until the average voltage of both sections is a predetermined minimum value.

22. An automaticallyreclosing sectionalizing circuit breaker comprising a main contact member, two terminals .to be .bridged by said member, limiting resistance, means Ito ybe connected between said-terminals, an operating coil .for closing said mainicvontact member, means for opening said main contact member when` abnormal f conditionsl occur, means for precluding leclosure of said member until proper conditions exist, avcoil governing sald precludingv means and. means connecting said coil at substantially the center of said limiting resistance means.

23. An automatically reclosing sectionalizing breaker comprising a main contact memberfor connecting two sections, means for opening said contact member uponfoccurrence of abnormal conditions, meansfor automatically closing said contact member in response to a` predetermined potential, and means whereby the closing means wil-l be energized at the same potential bythe two sections when one sectlon is energized at one voltage and the other section at another voltage or vice versa.

24. A control circuit'for a sectionalizing circuit interrupter between two adjacent sections of an electrical system provided with a commony return conductor, comprising resistance means connected between the section conductors, an operating coil for the interrupter and vmeans for connectin the operating coil between a point of suc reslstance means and the common return conductor.

25. An automatically reclosinfr sectionalizing switch comprising means for connectin two section conductors, an` operating co1 therefor, resistance means connected between the section conductors and means for controlling the energization of "the operating coil in accordance with the potential dif- `:ference between a predetermined point of thevresistance means and a return conductor common to both sections.

26. An automatically reclosing sectionalizing switch for adjoining sections provided with a commonreturn conductor, comprising a main contact member for joining the section conductors, an operating coil thereber in response to voltage fromeither seci for, means connected between the section conductors for establishing .a potential gradient between the conductors, and means i'or controlling the energization of the operating coil in'accordance with the potentlal di'ierence between a (point of the grad1ent establishing means an the return conductor.

27. An automatically reclosing sectionalizing switch for adjoining sect-ions provided with a common return conductor, comprising amain contact member for joining the section conductors, an operating coil therefor, and Voltage means operative in res onse to a predetermined relation between the voltages of the two sections for controlling tlie energization of the operating coil.

28. An automatically reclosing sectionalizing switch for adjoining sections provided with a common return conductor, comprising a main contact member for joining the section conductors, an operating coil therefor, resistance means connected between the section conductors and means connected between ay point of such resistance means and the common return conductor for controlling theenergization of the operating coil.

29. An automatically 'reclosing sectionalizing switch for adjoining sections provided with a common return conductor, comprising a'main contact member for joining. the section conductors, an operating coil therefor, and means responsive to the voltages of both sections and to a predetermined relation between the values of such voltages for conltrolling the energization of the operating co1 30. An automatically reclosing sectionalizingbreaker comprising a main contact irember to be placed between two sections, and mechanism for automatically `closing said main contact member, when bothfsections are independently energized, in response to the averages of the potentials of the two sections at the opposite terminals of the breaker whether the potential on both sections are equal or not.

31. An automatically reclosing sectionalzing breaker comprising a -main contact member for connecting .adjacent sections and means forclosing said' member, and an electrical control for said closing means of such form that it will respond to a definite potential andwill operate whenever a predeltermined aggregate potential exists on the sections connected by the breaker regardless of.whether one section is energized from another source or both invarying degrees. i

32. An automatically reclosing sectionalizing breaker comprismg a circuit breaker switch and operating mechanism therefor comprising a reclosing coil, apotential coil .through said operating coil whereby said op-r erating coil may be energized to close the breaker by-current from either section.

33. An automatically reclosing sectionalizing circuit breaker comprising a main contact 'memb'eig a coil for eecting automtic movement of said contact member into closed position, a means operative to subject said coil to a potential sutlicient to close said member when line conditions are normal but operative after closure or when line condi` tions are abnormal and said member open, to subject said coil to a current of a value suiiicient to maintain closure but less than that necessary to efect closure..

An automatically -reclosing circuit breaker comprising ka main contact member, a closingl coil or effecting automatic movement of said contact member into closed position, means whereb the current in the closing coil is limite to a value-suiicient to hold the main contact closed but insufficient to effect its closure from the open position, means whereby said limitin means is temporarily by-passed to permit t e closing of the main contact, said means being responsive in opertaion to a predetermined potential.

An automatically reclosing sectionalizing switch for adjoining sections provided with a common return conductor, comprising a main contact member for joining the section conductors, an operating coil therefor,u and means for controlling the energization ofthe operating coil in accordance with the potential gradient between the sections when theswitch isin its open position.

36. An automatically reclosing sectionalizing switch for adjoining sections provided with a commonrreturn conductor, comprising a main contact member for adjoining the section conductors, an operating coil therefor, a resistor for connecting the sections when the main contact member is open,

and controlling means for the operating coil energized by current traversing the resistor,

whereby the resistor serves to establish a poi .tential gradient across the open contacter and protect the controlling means from having excessive potentials impressed directly thereon.

In testimony whereof, we have hereunto subscribed our names this 1st day of October, 1921, and this 17th day of October, 1921, respectively.

JOSEPH N. MAHONEY. WALTER M.. AUSTIN. 

